Turnbuckle.



PATENTED JAN. 2, 1906. J. A. STEINMETZ.

TURNBUGKLE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6. 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH A. STEINMETZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

T U R N B U C K L E Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1906.

Application filed June 6, 1904. Serial No, 211,262.

To all whom it may concern.-

Figure 1 represents, chiefly in vertical longitudinal section, aturnbuckle embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a top plan view ofthe same, partly broken away and before the parts are assembled. Fig. 3represents, partly in elevation, partly in vertical section, a modifiedform of my device. Fig. 4 repre sents a top plan view, partly brokenaway and before assembling, of the form of device shown in Fig. 3. Fig.5 represents, partly in eleva tion, partly in vertical section, afurther modification.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, 1 and 2 designate therod-receiving portions of my turnbuckle comprising tubular parts 3 andat and integral threaded ends 5 and 6, shown as having polygonalwrench-engaging heads 7 and 8. Between the parts 1 and 2 is interposedan apertured member, which in the drawings is shown as a middle sectionor eye 9, consisting of an annular portion 10 and laterally-extendingtrunnions 11. The method of assembling the parts is clearly shown byreference to Fig. 1. The trunnions 11 of the central eye 9 are of adiameter to fit snugly within the ends of the tubular portions 3 and 4,as shown at the left of the drawing Fig. 1. The parts are then subjectedto a welding heat, by which they are firmly united and made practicallyintegral, as shown at the right of that figure.

In the device shown in Figs. 3 and 1 of the drawings the trunnions 11 ofthe eye 9 are formed with recesses 12, leaving a wall 13 ofsubstantially the thickness of the walls of the tubular portions 3 and4. The end of the wall 13 is then abutted-a g., against the end of thewall 3, as shown at the left of Fig. 3- and the two united by theprocess of electric welding. By forming the recesses 12 as shown, sothat the abutting walls are substantially the same in thickness, theyinterpose an equal resistance to the passage of the current, so that aperfect weld is secured, as shown at the right of the figure.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the trunnions 11 of the eye 9 as having externalthreads 14, adapted to engage in a corresponding integral thread 15 inthe ends of the tube 3 and 1. A pin 16 is driven through the wall of thetube and through the trunnion 11 after the parts are secured together,as clearly shown in the drawings. As commonly made turnbuckles haveconsisted of an open-link portion having internally-threaded ends inwhich the threaded ends of the rods engaged. The ends of the rods whichprojected into the open-link portion of the turnbuckle were thus exposedto the weather and speedily rusted. A later form of turnbuckle consistsof a tube having contracted internally-threaded ends. The tubularportion of this device protects the tierods from rusting, but does notform convenient means for tightening the buckles on the rods. My presentdevice affords protection to the ends of the rods and at the same timethe eye 9 is adapted to receive a stick, bar, or the like by which thebuckle can be tightened. This is of particular advantage in car orbridge construction where tie-rods are subjected to constant vibration,so that the turnbuckles tend to work loose. An inspector or otherworkman is saved the necessity of carrying a wrench, as he can use anybar or pin to tighten the turnbuckle just as easily as with the olddevice.

It is evident that I intend the term eye or annular portion to includeany open or link-shaped part in which a bar or the like may be inserted.

I have illustrated difl'erent forms of my device and difl'erent methodsof its construction to show that I do not purpose to be limited to aparticular form or method, as it is evident that various changes may bemade by those skilled in the art which will come within the scope of myinvention, and I do not, therefore, desire to be limited in everyinstance to the exact construction herein shown and described. Thus, 6.9., it is clear that the tubular portions 3 and 4 of the device may be Iwelded electrically or otherwise to the threaded rod-engaging ends aswell as to the central eye.

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tions, means at the outer ends of said tubular portions for engagingWith the rods and an apertured member intermediate said tubularportions, the ends of the latter adjacent said member being closed.

JOSEPH A. STEINMETZ.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, GEO. L. COOPER.

